After 10 years of being a World Heritage Site, and during the Olympic Year the spectacular Dorset and East Devon Coast is being celebrated with help from communities, artists and scientists from near and far.
At the heart of this is the Jurassic Coast Earth Festival running between May and September and part of the Cultural Olypiad. Here is a flavour for what to expect in the coming months…
May
The Earth Festival kicks off with the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival 5 & 6th May. Lots to see and do in this now very famous celebration of Lyme’s fossiliferous heritage including arts projects “Jurassic Journey”, “Pliosaur” and “Coastal Voices”. There is also a lot of excitement and anticipation surrounding the unveiling of the interactive experience “Onboard”, a flight of the imagination with Jurassic Airlines.
Meet the Fossil Collectors at an evening of informative talks and presentations at Charmouth
Make contact with the Jurassic Coast with arts project 26 & 7 bones at the Salthouse in West Bay
“Pliosaur” makes it way to West Bay in the middle of May
Join us for the start of epic Walk Through Time as Rock Around The Coast begins. 14 guided walks over 14 weeks spanning the entire length of the Jurassic Coast. First leg: Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton.
June
“Pliosaur” continues its tour of the Coast with a stop at Seaton for the Natural Seaton Festival. This two day event is bursting with lots of guided walks and exhibitions on all things natural in and around the coastal town of Seaton.
“Jurassic Journey” find its way to Durlston Coutnry Park at the end of June and stays put for all of July and most of August! A great opportunity to see the refurbished Castle and experience this fantastic exhibition and show.
Rock around the Coast continues every Saturday, reaching Portland by the end of the month.
“Coastal Voices” holds a performance in the atmospheric Beer Quarry Caves. Something not to be missed!
July
“Coastal Voices” holds performances in Poole, Weymouth and London.
“Pliosaur” makes an appearence at the Spirit of the Sea Festival in Weymouth.
The Sqaure and Compass pub in Worth Matravers holds its annual Fossil Fair. A pasty and a pint with some rocks and fossil thrown in… a winning combination.
Rock Around the Coast takes in Portland and the coastline between Weymouth and Kimmeridge Bay.
Heathweek in East Devon celebrates the outstanding landscape and habitats of the Pebble Heaths. Heathweek Festival Day is held on 29th July at Woodbury Castle.
The Olympic Bayside Festival opens in Weymouth featuring exhibitions about Natural Weymouth and Portland plus another chance to see the interactive experience “Onboard”.
August
The Olympic Bayside Festival in Weymouth remains open until the middle of the month.
Rock Around the Coast completes the 95 mile trip with the last three legs between Kimmeridge Bay and Studland.
“Pliosaur” journeys to the western end of the Jurassic Coast for a visit to the Exmouth Earth Festival.
Artists from the ExLab project exhibit work inspired by the Jurasic Coast and collaborations with scientists.
The season finishes with the Jurassic Coast Fun Days at the Salt House in West Bay. Three days of activities and displays celebrating our Natural Heritage.
Check the What’s On guide on www.jurassiccoast.com for more details. Sam Scriven, Earth Science Adviser
